Lip Reconstruction

Your lips are one of the most expressive parts of you face. Happiness, sorrow and every emotion in between are conveyed through this intricate structure. More importantly, fully functional lips are a prerequisite for normal speech and swallowing. Patients with abnormalities or deficits in their lips gain invaluable improvement with expertly performed lip reconstruction or other type of lip procedures.

Lip Conditions Requiring Reconstruction

Many conditions can result in the need for lip repair: congenital malformations, trauma, facial nerve paralysis or removal of cancerous lesions. Children born with congenital abnormalities such as a cleft lip need surgical repair within the first few months of life. Secondary cosmetic improvements of the lip can be performed when the child is older. Individuals with trauma to their lips, such as lacerations or dog bites, must be treated expeditiously. In patients with cancer involvement of the lip, reconstruction needs to be an integral part of overall treatment management.

Facial paralysis interferes with speech, swallowing, and the ability to manage oral secretions. These fictional losses exacerbate the psychological impact of facial paralysis. In patients with cancer involvement of the lip, reconstruction needs to be an integral part of over all management.

Dr. Khosh is expert in addressing lip deformities due to any cause. He will take time to explain various options, which may be available for repair of a lip deformity. He has unmatched experience in tissue transfer techniques to restore lip function. In more minor defects, Dr. Khosh uses simpler techniques to restore the aesthetic appearance of the lip.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Khosh for you or a member of your family.

Case Studies

Missing upper middle lip

This 65 year-old-man had cancer removal from the upper middle lip with a full thickness defect of the lip. The lip cancer was removed with the Mohs technique. In repairing the defect, Dr. Khosh advanced the lip edges and hid the scar imperceptibly, to restore the function and aesthetics of the lip.

Patient: 65 year-old-man with lip cancer

Problem: Missing upper middle lip

Procedure: Bilateral advancement flaps

Missing 70% of lower lip

This 71 year-old-woman had cancer involvement of the majority of the lower lip. Dr. Khosh used the two-staged Abbe-Estelander flap (lip switch flap) to move some tissue form the upper lip to the lower lip. The scar in the lips is well hidden, and lip function was restored.

Patient: 71 year-old-woman with lip cancer

Problem: Missing majority of lower lip

Procedure: 2 staged Abbe-Estlander flap (lip switch flap)

Missing lower lip lining

This 69 year-old-man had basal cell cancer of lower lip. The cancer was removed with Mohs technique. The red part of the lip was missing with intact underlying muscle. Dr. Khosh used a mucosa flap (the lining of the mouth) from inside the mouth to provide a good match to the normally red part of the lip.

Patient: 69 year-old-man with lip cancer

Problem: Missing lower lip with intact underlying muscle

Procedure: Mucosal flap (transfer of the lining of the mouth)

Missing 1/3 of lower lip

This 45 year-old-man had basal cell cancer of lower lip. Cancer was removed with Mohs technique. Dr. Khosh advanced the intact edges of the lip to restore normal lip function. The length of the scar was limited by using a technique known as “M-plasty”.

Patient: 45 year-old-man with lower lip cancer

Problem: Missing muscle and lining of the lower lip

Procedure: Advancement flap and M-plasty

Missing entire lower lip

This 52 year-old-man had squamous cell cancer of the lower lip. During Mohs surgery for cancer removal, nearly all the lower lip was removed. Dr. Khosh used a special surgical technique, known as a Karapandzic flap, to mobilized tissue around the mouth allowing closure of the lip. The post op picture was taken one week after surgery.

Patient: 52 year-old-man with lip cancer

Problem: Missing entire lower lip

Procedure: Karapandzic flap

Small defect of upper lip near nose

This 51 year-old-woman had a basal cell cancer of upper lip near the nose. Mohs surgery resulted in an 8-mm circular defect near the nose. Dr. Khosh repaired this with local tissue advancement to hide the scar at the junction of the lip and the nose.

Patient: 51 year-old-woman with cancer of the lip

Problem: 8-mm defect near the nose

Procedure: Local tissue advancement

*Disclaimer: These Are Actual Results For Patients Of Dr. Maurice Khosh. Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Results Can Vary Between Patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of anesthesia is used during lip reconstruction?

This is dependent on the nature of reconstruction. Small procedures for lip reconstruction such as local flaps and direct closure can be performed as an office procedure under local anesthesia. More complicated procedures involving large lip defects commonly require sedation or general anesthesia in an operating room.

What can be done for "Whistler lip" deformity?

Whistle lip deformity is a central notching of the upper lip following repair of a cleft lip, or following repair of a central upper lip defect. It is due to missing soft tissue. Repair can be accomplished with small local flaps, or with injection of filler agents such as Restylane or Juvederm.

What is an Abbe Estelander flap for repair of a lip defect?

The Abbe Estelander flap is a lip switch technique in which a defect of the upper lip is repaired with tissue borrowed from the lower lip, and vice versa. It is ideal for lip defects that involve more than half of the lip. The Abbe Estelander flap is performed in two stages that are separated by two or more weeks.

What is a Karapandnzic flap for lip reconstruction?

When a lip defect involves more that 75% of the lip, the Karapandnzic flap can be used for repair. Circular flaps from around the mouth are used to repair the defect. The Karapandnzic flap preserves the nerve and vascular supply of the residual lip, and allows immediate lip function.

What is a Karapandnzic flap for lip reconstruction?

The Karapandnzic flap can be used for lip repair when the defect is greater than 75% of the lip. Circular flaps from around the mouth are used to repair the defect. The Karapandnzic flap preserves the nerve and vascular supply of the residual lip, and allows immediate lip function.

Related Procedures

Lip reconstruction for traumatic, congenital, or cancer removal aims at restoring the function and appearance of the lips. The procedures are typically not associated with other facial treatments. Occasionally, laser treatments are used to help camouflage skin scars.

Patient Reviews

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4.9

Based on 55 reviews

Meredith G.

Saw Dr. Khosh for a fractured nose. He reset my nose beautifully (and with little discomfort to me) and then discussed some of my sinus issues with me upon my follow up visit. Never felt like he was rushing me out and felt very confident in his abilities. I would highly recommend to anyone needing plastic or reconstructive options!

Jackie C.

Great front office, really good experience after what was a terrible accident. I was made to feel comfortable. Dr. Khosh is very good at what he does. I'm still healing but I'm confident of the results

Kaitlin M.

Dr. Khosh takes exceptional care of his patients. He has operated on me twice, each time making me feel extremely comfortable and satisfied with the results. His staff is also very kind and knowledgeable.

Diana G.

Dr. Khosh & his staff Susan & Christine are absolutely amazing! They were so supportive & helpful from beginning to end & they are just wonderful people. Thank you guys I truly appreciate everything you guys have done for me. I would recommend them to anyone & everyone!

Joann M.

After visiting and being evaluated by several doctors, I kept going back to Dr. Khosh. His tranquil spirit and professionalism were captivating. Thank you for a job well done and keeping me calm throughout the entire process. A special thanks to your staff Susan and Christine for all of their support as well. Hi highly recommend Dr. Khosh.

Leah G.

Upon hearing of the overwhelmingly positive experience a friend of mine had in choosing Dr. Khosh as her surgeon, I decided to make an appointment for my own septoplasty/rhinoplasty/turbinate reduction. Although I was slightly skeptical as the praise I had heard seemed a bit hyperbolic, all uncertainty dissipated after meeting the Doctor and his staff. My pre- and post-operative experience was excellent in terms of concerns adequately addressed prior to the surgery and mitigation of any bruising in the convalescent period. Despite my apparent predisposition to rather slower healing, a year after the surgery, my nose looks really pretty and my breathing entirely unobstructed! I highly recommend Dr. Khosh!

Courtney G

AMAZING!!!!!! I had Dr Khosh perform lipo on my chin/neck and my result is unbelievable! Better than I could have expected! I met with a couple of surgeons and the second I met with Dr Khosh I knew he was the one I was going with. He was compassionate and explained every detail of what would take place during the surgery and what to expect during recovery. I even emailed a few times during recovery with various questions and he got right back to me asap which was really comforting! I honestly fully recommend Dr Khosh, he did an amazing job and is an amazing person.

Frieda S.

i can finally breathe!! Dr. Khosh made the entire experience a breeze, it was truly a pleasure to be under his care. I am forever thankful and highly recommend him. Not only does his work speak for himself, but he has excellent bedside manner. His kindness and patience is above and beyond. He takes the time to answer to every question you have to help you understand the process while at the same time making you feel so comfortable. From the first consultation i knew i was in good hands. I am so pleased with the result and forever thankful.